Hill and New York-based photographer John Clang were awarded Designer of the Year by President S R Nathan in a ceremony on 19 November. The Award, now in its 5th year, recognises the talents of Singapore-based designers who contribute to and enhance Singapore’s cultural and economic environment.

Photography by award-winner John Clang.

Hill, who graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1968 and worked with Howlett & Bailey Architects, moved to Asia in 1971 and established a reputation for adapting traditional Asian design and drawing on the climactic and topographic features specific to each location.

This approach can be seen in Hill’s most notable work, the Datai Hotel in Langkawi, Malaysia, and the Lalu Hotel at Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, Taiwan. Hill’s work has been consistently rewarded by the Singapore Institute of Architects and Royal Institute of Architects, and state institutes in Australia and the United States.

The jury of the Singapore President’s Design Award commended Hill for his commitment to regionalist architecture through a range of buildings in various countries.

Aman New Delhi, India. View of swimming pool. Photo by Albert Lim KS.

They identified Hill’s understanding of how to incorporate the weather and climate into his designs as key to his style, demonstrating in turn the importance of integrity in responding to environmental challenges that face development and construction around the world.